New Mexico to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 878 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like drier climate vs more rain), food & health (like Green Chile vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs french colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Louisiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Gumbo & Jambalaya
- Louisiana housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Louisiana is 3.39% more affordable than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Louisiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Louisiana movers is JP Moving
New Mexico to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Louisiana
- Drier climate
- Scarcity of water
- Higher elevation
- More rain
- Ample natural water
- Sea-level landscapes
- Frequent storms
- High humidity
- Hurricane risk
- Vibrant sunsets
- Low humidity
- Festivals like Balloon Fiesta
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to drier climate and hello to more rain
- Look forward to moving away from scarcity of water and moving to Louisiana with ample natural water
- Swap the higher elevation of New Mexico for sea-level landscapes in Louisiana
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant sunsets in New Mexico to live with frequent storms in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of low humidity and have to settle for the con of high humidity
- Time to bid farewell to festivals like Balloon Fiesta and get used to hurricane risk in Louisiana
New Mexico vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Jambalaya |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Po'boy |
Most popular vegan food | Stuffed Sopapillas | Okra Gumbo (Vegan) |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from New Mexico to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po'boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Stuffed Sopapillas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Gumbo (Vegan) of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Sadie's of New Mexico, Frontier Restaurant, and El Modelo. After the boxes are unpacked in Louisiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Louisiana's acclaimed eateries like Commander's Palace, Acme Oyster House, and CafΓ© du Monde.
When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Louisiana, compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Louisiana
Comparison | New Mexico | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | French Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Privacy | Historic Charm, Proximity to Water |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the French Colonial architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference views and privacy, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and proximity to water.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Louisiana is more walkable than New Mexico.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Louisiana is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Louisiana has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Louisiana housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13%, compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Louisiana is 3.39% more affordable than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Louisiana
Comparison | New Mexico | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 64Β°F | 91Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 62Β°F / 42Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 inches | 60 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 inches | 0.2 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 23% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Louisiana has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in New Mexico, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Louisiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Louisiana is 3 degrees warmer than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 46 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Louisiana
Comparison | New Mexico | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 1.7% - 4.9% | 2% - 6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.8% | 0.5% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.8% | 9.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Mining, Government | Oil, Tourism, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Low to Moderate |
Poverty | High | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 7% less than those in New Mexico
- The COLI in Louisiana is 0% lower than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in LA is 2% - 6% compared to 1.7% - 4.9% in NM
- The affluence in Louisiana is low to moderate compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to high in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Mexico and moderate in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Louisiana
Comparison | New Mexico | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Conservative, with a mix in urban areas |
Religion | Mixed, with a significant Catholic presence | Primarily Catholic, significant Protestant |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as primarily Catholic and significant Protestant
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Louisiana
Comparison | New Mexico | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pinon Elementary - Santa Fe Wood Gormley Elementary - Santa Fe Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary - Albuquerque | Lusher Charter School - New Orleans South Highlands Elementary Magnet - Shreveport Eden Gardens Fundamental Elementary - Shreveport |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sidney Gutierrez Middle School - Roswell Mountain Mahogany Community School - Albuquerque Jefferson Middle School - Albuquerque | Lusher Charter School - New Orleans Caddo Parish Magnet Middle School - Shreveport Glasgow Middle School - Baton Rouge |
Top 3 High Schools | La Cueva High School - Albuquerque Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science - Albuquerque Arrowhead Park Early College High School - Las Cruces | Benjamin Franklin High School - New Orleans Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies - Metairie Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy - Jefferson |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy - Albuquerque Santa Fe Preparatory School - Santa Fe Sandia Preparatory School - Albuquerque | Isidore Newman School - New Orleans Metairie Park Country Day School - Metairie Episcopal School of Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Bosque School - Albuquerque Menaul School - Albuquerque Desert Academy - Santa Fe | Isidore Newman School - New Orleans Metairie Park Country Day School - Metairie Episcopal School of Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Farmington Municipal Schools | Zachary Community School District Central Community School System Ascension Parish Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 878 miles from New Mexico to Louisiana will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,700 | 300 ft3 | $5.67 |
1 Bedroom | $2,528 | 450 ft3 | $5.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,176 | 750 ft3 | $5.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,069 | 1100 ft3 | $5.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,748 | 1600 ft3 | $5.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,751 | 1800 ft3 | $5.42 |
Top New Mexico to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.